2024 Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-EQ EQB

The Mercedes-EQ EQB is the iconic German luxury brand’s smallest and most affordable electric vehicle. This premium SUV has the luxurious, high-tech interior you’d expect from a Mercedes, and it’s available with three efficient electric powertrains. Optional 3-row seating adds to its versatility. A few of the closest competitors to the EQB in electric luxury SUVs are the Tesla Model Y, Audi Q4 e-tron, and Genesis Electrified GV70.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of luxury electric SUVs, including the Mercedes-EQ EQB.

The EQB gets a styling refresh for 2024, making it look more like the bigger and pricier electric SUVs in the Mercedes-EQ line. It also has a slightly revised interior with a new steering wheel and updated MBUX software. And the optional Burmester premium audio system now comes with Sound Experiences (simulated driving sounds inside and lock/unlock sounds outside).

The pricing of the EQB is similar to the Audi Q4 e-tron and Tesla Model Y, and it’s a little more affordable than the more powerful Genesis Electrified GV70.

Before buying an EQB, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. As for resale value, the EQB performs about average among electric vehicles.

The Mercedes-EQ EQB 250+ is powered by a 188-horsepower electric motor powering the front wheels. That might sound a little underpowered, but 284 lb-ft of torque gives it lively acceleration from a standstill. Mercedes estimates a 0-60 mph time of 8.0 seconds, and in our testing it never felt lacking in normal driving duties.

The EQB 300 4Matic has 225 horsepower and all-wheel drive (AWD), shaving a full second from its 0-60 mph time. The extra power is a welcome upgrade, and the 4Matic AWD system does an excellent job delivering the right amount of torque to the right wheels. It makes for a smoother, sportier drive while improving all-season traction.

Finally, the dual-motor EQB 350 4Matic is the peak of performance in the EQB lineup. 288 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque give this premium SUV a 0-60 mph time of 6.0 seconds. It’s the one we enjoy driving the most, but there’s a tradeoff in maximum range.

What stood out to us the most in testing the Mercedes-EQ EQB is how much it drives like a normal luxury SUV. Until you stab the throttle and get that instant electric torque, it’s almost easy to forget that this SUV is electric.

Even though the Mercedes-EQ EQB is the most affordable EV from the brand, it still has a finely crafted interior. This luxury SUV has comfortable seats, high-end interior materials, and modern tech features.

We love the updated MBUX infotainment system with essential smartphone connectivity features and a navigation system that helps you find charging stations and take the most efficient route. The “Hey, Mercedes” voice commands work well, but we’ve found it a bit sensitive to speech that remotely resembles “Mercedes.”

There’s 38.1 inches of legroom in the second row and plenty of headroom, thanks to the boxy shape of the EQB. That legroom is a little less than the Tesla Model Y, almost identical to the Audi Q4 e-tron.

The optional third row in the EQB is best reserved for children. It has tight legroom with only 29.1 inches of space, but that’s still more than the 26.5 inches of third-row legroom in the Model Y.

The third row (when so equipped) folds down to expose 22 cubic feet of cargo room. When the second- and third-row seats are folded down, you get a generous 61.8 cubic-foot cargo hold. That’s good maximum cargo space but below-average cargo room when the rear seats are in use.

The EQB gets an exterior design refresh for 2024, bringing its look more in line with the rest of the Mercedes-EQ family. Its new “grille,” bumpers, and light signature resemble the pricier EQE and EQS SUVs, but the EQB retains its characteristic boxy design. This update further sets the EQB apart from its gas-powered cousin, the Mercedes-Benz GLB.

Available 3-row seating
3-row seating is an uncommon feature in SUVs this size, and we like the versatility it adds to the EQB with seating for up to seven.

MBUX infotainment system
This modern and feature-rich infotainment system has standard navigation that can help you find charging stations and optimize your route for the best efficiency.

DC fast charging
Where available, DC fast charging can replenish the battery in the EQB from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 32 minutes. This ability adds peace of mind to long-distance trips in this EV.

Pinnacle trim
The Pinnacle trim available with all three powertrains includes luxury features like a Panorama roof, a surround-view system, a Burmester audio system, a wireless charging pad, a hands-free power liftgate, and more.

Driver Assistance Package
Worth selecting from the options list, this bundle includes adaptive cruise control, active emergency stop assistance, and several other active systems to enhance safety.

Burmester audio with Sound Experiences
The optional 12-speaker Burmester premium sound system now comes with what Mercedes calls “Sound Experiences.” These simulated driving noises help make for a more engaging experience.

The single-motor EQB 250+ gets an estimated range of up to 245 miles on a full charge. The AWD-equipped EQB 300 4Matic gets a 232-mile range, and the dual-motor EQB 350 4Matic goes up to 221 miles on a full charge.

These range estimates are just okay for this class. The Audi Q4 e-tron gets between 236 and 265 miles of range, and the Tesla Model Y gets excellent range ratings from 279 to 330 miles, depending on the configuration. The Genesis Electrified GV70 gets a 236-mile range, but it’s also larger and has a standard dual-motor powertrain with 429 horsepower.

According to Mercedes, the EQB can get 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging with a Level 2 home charger. That should get you a full charge overnight. With a regular household outlet, charging slows to 2-4 miles per hour.

With DC fast charging at a public charging station, the EQB can support charging speeds up to 100 kW, capable of charging from 10% to 80% in just 32 minutes. A nice perk of the EQB is unlimited complimentary 30-minute charging sessions at Electrify America stations for two years.

Every EQB has a battery capacity of 70.5 kWh, which means they all have the same estimated charging times.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The new vehicle warranty on a 2023 EQB is for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever happens first. This is typical coverage among European luxury automakers. The 8-year/100,000-mile warranty for the battery is more impressive.

Safety

Standard safety features in the EQB include Parktronic with Active Parking Assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic high beams. We recommend the Driving Assistance Package adding safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and more. No third-party agency has safety rated the EQB.